News

Business Spotlight: New Oakley restaurant is all in the family

Contra Costa Times

Posted:
07/16/2013 05:22:42 PM PDT

Updated:
07/16/2013 05:22:43 PM PDT

Name of business: Providence Bar and Eatery

Type of business: Restaurant and bar

Owners: Kimberly Buchholz and her parents Gene and Michelle Buchholz. Kimberly and her boyfriend, David Pinto, are running the business together. Gene and Michelle Buchholz also own Hook Line and Sinker in Oakley.

Products and services: All-American restaurant serving hamburgers, steak, pasta and salad dishes. One of the house specialties is the Oakley Salad, with fresh local strawberries, creamy goat cheese, candied almonds, atop a bed of mixed greens with a homemade honey-balsamic vinaigrette. The restaurant also offers a build-your-own hamburger, which allows the customers to pick their favorite toppings and dressing to make the ultimate hamburger.

How did you get in the business?: "Owning my own restaurant was something I've always wanted to do," Kimberly Buchholz said. "I grew up in a family of entrepreneurs; it's in my blood, I guess you could say."

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She recently finished studying restaurant and hospitality management, and her management partner, David Pinto, studied culinary arts and food management. "David is our chef. We make a perfect match," Buchholz said.

Best part about the business?: "Getting to live our dream," Buchholz said.

Worst part about the business?: "Nothing yet," she said. "But if I had to choose right this second, it would be the long hours. But it's what we signed up for, so I am not complaining."

Key to success: Buchholz said she believes it is important to enjoy what you do to be successful.

Biggest misperception about the business: "That we removed our bar," she said as people remember that the business used to be Mike's Beef and Brew, which was well-known for it bar and grill type food and nightly entertainment. "We didn't. We just upgraded it and the rest of the restaurant. The bar got a well-deserved and well-needed face lift," she said.

Future plans: "To continue doing what we love, serving great food and drinks to the wonderful people who appreciate it and keep coming back," Buchholz said.